Brake warning and step for bumper

ABSTRACT

A brake warning and step for bumper which is a combination brake warning light assembly and step that is inserted into a vehicle&#39;s trailer hitch connection. The device comprises a tubular steel housing having a tubular steel hitch insertion member opposite a side with three or four holes having brake lights mounted therein. The lights are connected to the vehicle&#39;s wiring harness using a suitable connection and are illuminated when the brakes are applied to give following vehicles additional warning that a stop is being made. Also, the device is strong enough to be used as a step when attached to a sport utility vehicle or truck hitch connection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to vehicle bumpers and, more particularly, to a combination brake warning light and step insertable into a vehicle's trailer hitch connection.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A vehicle trailer hitch connection is, generally, a rectangular tubular member attached to the rear portion of a vehicle, and opening away from the rear of the vehicle to receive a rectangular element having a trailer hitch ball neck at its remote end. The trailer hitch connection is unsightly when not in use. It would be desirable to have an insert to cover this open tubular member. It is also recognized that additional brake lights at the rear of a vehicle are generally advantageous from a safety aspect. It would further be a convenience to have a step in the rear of the vehicle to access a truck bed or car trunk more easily.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,094, issued May 19, 1998, to Brafford, Jr., describes a protective trailer hitch accessory that includes a lighted sign, auxiliary brake lights, and a protective cover for a trailer hitch. The Brafford, Jr. device is fastened to the trailer hitch connection and electrically wired to the vehicle's brake light brake warning system using a harness. This system is not, however, an integral unit. It requires an intermediate rectangular tubular member, and does not provide any convenient step.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,033, issued Dec. 28, 1999, to Casson et al., describes a placard or brake light accessory unit for a vehicle hitch. The device of Casson et al. is installed in and substantially conceals the opening of a hitch socket. The device also includes supports of various shapes and sizes for displaying removable signs or lights.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,774, issued Nov. 3, 1998 to Klemp, describes a combination step and bumper assembly that is releasably coupled to the hitch connection at the rear of the vehicle. The assembly conceals the hitch from view and provides a step support.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. Des. 338,861 shows a bumper attachable to a decorative cover for a vehicle trailer hitch attachment tube.

[0009] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a brake warning and step for a bumper solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention is a combination brake warning light assembly and step that is inserted into a vehicle's trailer hitch connection. The device comprises a rectilinear, tubular steel housing having a tubular steel hitch insertion member attached to its back wall, and opposite a front wall having three or four holes supporting brake lights mounted therein. The lights are connected to the vehicle's wiring harness using a suitable connection and are illuminated when the brakes are applied to give following vehicles additional warning that a stop is being made. Also, the device is strong enough to be used as a step when attached to a sport utility vehicle or truck hitch connection.

[0011] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a decorative cover for a vehicle trailer open hitch attachment tube.

[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide a decorative cover for a vehicle trailer hitch attachment tube as above which provides additional brake lights for signaling an impending stop of the vehicle.

[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a decorative cover for a vehicle trailer hitch attachment tube as above which is adequately sturdy to provide a step for easy access to a truck bed, automobile trunk, etc..

[0014] Still another object of the invention is to provide a decorative cover for a vehicle trailer hitch attachment tube as above which has an electrical wiring harness and a plug for plugging in to the vehicle's trailer auxiliary wiring plug.

[0015] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0016] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a brake warning light and step for a bumper according to the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the brake warning light and step of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the brake warning light and step similar to the environmental, perspective view of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 4 is an environmental view in elevation of the brake warning light and step of FIG. 1.

[0021] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The present invention is a brake warning light and step for a bumper which is a combination brake warning light assembly and step that is inserted into a vehicle's trailer hitch connection opening. The device comprises a tubular steel housing having a tubular steel hitch insertion member opposite a side with three or four holes having brake lights mounted therein. The lights are connected to the vehicle's wiring harness using a suitable connection and are illuminated when the brakes are applied to give following vehicles additional warning that a stop is being made. Also, the device is strong enough to be used as a step, particularly when attached to a sport utility vehicle or truck hitch connection.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an environmental, perspective view of brake warning light and step system 10 for vehicle rear bumper A featuring brake warning light and step unit 12, being of a generally rectilinear, tubular structure, a generally rectangular cross section, and featuring step unit front wall 14 and step unit top wall 16. Step unit 12 further features first end wall 18, step unit tread 20, which is mounted on step unit top wall 16 and is further defined by step unit bottom wall 22 and step unit second end wall 24. Step unit tread 20 features step unit tread ridges 26 to impart anti-slip characteristics to tread 20. Step unit 24 features at least one, and preferably a plurality of brake warning lights 28 mounted along step unit front wall 14 opposite step unit back wall 30.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, brake warning light and step unit 12 further includes step unit tongue 32, which is of a rectilinear, tubular shape, having a rectangular cross section, and which is attached centrally and perpendicularly to step unit back wall 30 at a first end(not shown) by welding or other appropriate attachment method. Step unit tongue 32 has side walls 34 and top and bottom walls 36 and has a perpendicular rectangular end 38. Brake warning light and step unit 12 has a trailer electrical connector for engagement with a standard vehicle trailer electrical connector (not shown), and is electrically connected with brake warning light and step unit 12 by electrical conductor wire 44. Electrical conductor 44 in attached for electrical actuation of brake warning lights 28 by any convenient method, and actuates the lights upon operation of the vehicle's brake pedal.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an exploded environmental perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing vehicle rear bumper A and a standard trailer hitch receptacle having opening B. Step unit tongue 32 of brake warning light and step unit 12 is so sized and configured as to fit into the standard trailer hitch receptacle at opening B and is insertable therein up to step unit back wall 30 for operation, step unit tongue 32 being secured therein by any convenient means(not shown) such as a pin.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an environmental view in elevation of the brake warning light and step system of FIG. 1, wherein brake warning light and step unit 12 is inserted into trailer hitch receptacle opening B(not shown) and placed relative to vehicle rear bumper A for use.

[0027] Brake warning light and step unit 12 may conveniently be made of steel rectangular tubing, but may be constructed of other materials as desired. Step unit tread 20 may be of rubber or similar slip resistant material. Brake warning lights 28 are of a standard type, preferably giving a red light signal upon actuation. Brake warning lights 28 are conveniently mounted flush with step unit front wall 22 in holes or recesses made in front wall 22 to avoid breakage during use.

[0028] In operation, brake warning light and step unit 12 is mounted on the vehicle with step unit tread 20 in its upward position by inserting step unit tongue 32 into trailer hitch opening B until back wall 30 is reached. The step unit 12 is then secured by inserting a pin through the combined trailer hitch and tongue. Trailer electrical connector 42 is then connected with the vehicle's standard trailer electrical connector. The brake warning light and step unit 12 may be removed to insert a trailer hitch ball neck unit when using a trailer.

[0029] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. A brake warning light and step unit for a vehicle trailer hitch and bumper comprising: a) an elongated element having at least one brake light mounted on a front wall, thereof; b) said elongated element having a tongue substantially centrally located perpendicularly to and substantially bisecting a back wall of said elongated element; and c) said elongated element having an upper wall extending between said back wall and said front wall; d) wherein said tongue is securably insertable in a standard vehicle trailer hitch opening in the immediate vicinity of a rear vehicle bumper; and e) wherein said upper wall is so configured and constructed so as to be useful as a step for a vehicle bumper for easy access to a truck bed, automobile trunk or the like.
 2. The brake warning light and step unit of claim 1, wherein said elongated element is configured so as to be oriented generally parallel to said vehicle bumper when said tongue is inserted in said trailer hitch opening.
 3. The brake warning light and step unit of claim 2, further comprising a tread mounted on said upper wall.
 4. The brake warning light and step unit of claim 3, further comprising tread ridges located along an upper surface of said tread.
 5. The brake warning light and step unit of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of brake lights linearly disposed along said front wall of said elongated element.
 6. The brake warning light and step unit of claim 2, further comprising an electrical plug for connection with a standard vehicle trailer electrical plug, and an electrical conductor wire so disposed as to activate said at least one brake light upon application of said vehicle's brake pedal.
 7. The brake warning light and step unit of claim 2, wherein said unit is constructed so as to be removable from said trailer hitch opening when desired.
 8. The brake warning light and step of claim 2, wherein said elongated element is constructed of rectilinear rectangular tubing. 